By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

A nightmarish first quarter cost the Western Michigan Christian their tournament lives on Monday night on their home court.

The visiting Saugatuck Indians came out ready to play and surged to a big lead after one quarter then held on for a 72-65 victory. Saugatuck advances to Wednesday’s Class C district semifinal game against Fennville.

“They really came out and executed their game plan and we didn’t do anything to stop them,” Warrior coach Kyle Mastenbrook said.

A big part of that game plan was stopping WMC post player Bernard Smith, who finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

But at the other end of the court, the Indians were led by Michael Winowiecki with 30 points. Wessley Webbert added 19.

WMC fell behind 21-5 after the first eight minutes then began the long road back. The Warriors got back to within four points in the fourth quarter, but the Indians’ free-throw shooting kept WMC at bay until the final buzzer.

“It was the heart of all the guys,” said Mastenbrook of his team’s comeback that actually began in the third quarter when WMC fell behind by 19 points. “No wanted wanted this game to end and they all were willing to battle.

“I wish we had a little more of that in the first half,” the first-year coach said.

Saugatuck led 33-21 at the half and 53-40 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, WMC poured in 27 points, led by James Jackson with eight points, Henry DeKam with seven and Jacob Ray with five. DeKam finished with 17 points and Ray had 15 and James had 11.

WMC got to within 65-61 on a 3-pointer by Jackson with 3 minutes left. However, the Indians made key free throws down the stretch to advance in the tournament. In the final eight minutes, Saugatuck scored 19 points, 13 of which came from the free-throw line.

The Warriors finished the season 13-8.

Saugatuck 72, Western Michigan Christian 65

SAUGATUCK
Wesley Webbert 6 7-9 19, Joseph Roscielski 2 0-0 4, Michael Winowiecki 6 13-16 30, Logan Bush 2 0-0 4, Alex Segovia 2 2-3 8, Joseph Shashaguay 1 0-0 2, Phillip Cooley 1 1-2 3, Bobby Drew 1 0-2 2. Totals 21 23-32 72.

WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN
Nate Taylor 0 4-6 4, James Jackson 4 2-3 11, Logan Waller 0 0-0 0, Henry DeKam 5 4-6 17, Bernard Smith 5 4-6 14, Chaise Schuiteman 1 0-0 2, Jacob Ray 5 2-4 15, Christian Brower 1 0-2 2. Totals 21 16-27 65.

Saugatuck 21 – 12 – 20 – 19 – 72
WM Christian 5 – 16 – 19 – 25 – 65
3-pointers: Winowiecki (5), Segovia (2), Jackson, DeKam (3), Ray (2). Total fouls: Saugatuck 22, WM Christian 24. Fouled out: Waller. Technicals: none.